We again had visitors this harvest season. Eileen and Bob stopped by on their way to Rock Shadows. They were able to be here for two full work days. Since we were in full corn harvest, Bob and Teddy went along to monitor my work. Bob decided that my truck driving could use some law enforcement monitoring. But we also had a little fun. A couple evenings enjoying some dominoes ( Bob seems to be quite lucky except for one time he was stuck with the double blank two hands in a row ). Our other evening was spent going to Zipps Pizzaria in Adair, Ia. Bob said that was the only reason Eileen wanted to come. Well maybe not the only reason! Anyway, if you’re ever going by on I80 consider stopping at Zipps in Adair and our place in Atlantic. Then bright and early Friday morning they were suddenly gone. And now they are enjoying AZ 80 degree weather and we are still here harvesting corn. But maybe not for too much longer. Just so you all can appropriately feel sorry for me, it was only 40 F today and 20-30 mph winds with gusts to 40. Brrrrrr!See you in 2 - 3 weeks or so.

We left Wisconsin Sunday morning, had rain most of the day off and on, Monday we had strong winds all day, Tuesday and today was great driving, but we made good time driving. Got here at Rock Shadows at 11:55 today, good to be home.

September 29, 2017 2:00pmI got to have a little different fun today. I know I've always told people that I don't run our dozer, but today was a different story. It got me out of some harder work so I volunteered. Besides it was easy just pushing out a terrace ( speed bump is what I like to call them ) from the top down. Nephew Joel will come after and do the finishing part.Some of you might wonder why we would remove a terrace. The way we farm now, no till, we have found that terraces actually cause problems and don't really accomplish the desired soil erosion protection. Also this terrace and many others like it cause wet spots below them. So away it goes.

iOS 11 is released as of 09/19/17. It is a major change in many ways, but "can you update to it?" is the big question. It is outdating older generations of iDevices, because it is now a 64 bit processing system, and older iDevices are 32 bit. If you care, ask me to explain 32 bit / 64 bit this winter.

The iPhones that will upgrade are: IPhone X, 8 and 8 Plus, 7 and 7 Plus, 6s and 6s Plus, 6 and 6 Plus, SE, and iPhone 5s (so iphone 5 and older can not upgrade).

Easiest way is to match your model number, on back side your your device (in real small engraved print), to model numbers listed for the iDevices on this Apple website.

Lastly, just because your iDevice is one that will take the iOS 11 upgrade, does not guarantee the update will work. Other factors may deny the update, such as amount of memory available. If you can not get your device to upgrade, all I can offer is bring it in to a Friday afternoon lab when you get to AZ, and I'll help you get it figured out.

I suggest a "todo" when you get "aroundtoit". Old 32 bit apps, not upgraded by the creator, will not run in the new iOS 11. If you have any, they are wasting space. Conveniently, these apps are listed for you on your iDevice. Go to Settings > About > Applications and tap Applications. If any are shown, your choice, but I recommend that you delete them. If a listed app is a personal "must have", then DO NOT upgrade to iOS 11......at least until it is shown in the App Store sometime in the future.

We started cutting soybeans! These photos were both shot looking towards our old home and OakHill Cemetery. The mound of dirt is evidence of the water line I had to install from the new well we had to dig. We did get our acreage sold and we are very grateful for that. Now if harvest goes smoothly and quickly maybe we can make our annual track to AZ by the middle of November or so.

By the way, the soybeans are yielding a little better than we hoped. The rain we received in mid August must have helped more than we thought.

This was sent from Bob. His friend Pepe, who lives in AZ, sent him this picture and said the new Frys on the Northeast corner of Idaho and Apache Trail is nearly ready to open. So now to drive, walk, or bike to Frys we will have to cross the dreaded wide intersection. Bummer!

Bob and Eileen hooked up the camper ( 1st pic) and off they went, again. We went way up north, in to Michigans upper peninsula (300 miles). First stop, Bob and Jeanette Kucharczuk's, way over on the east end. Bob Had a nice campsite for us, across the street from their home. Eileen and Jeanette did, surprise, surprise, quilting, knitting and talking. No, Bob did not make me play any shuffleboard. We talked and he took me 4-wheeling a few times in the miles of woods. See the pic of one of the Kucharczuk's, there are many, original homesteads back in the woods. Jeanette made a couple great meals and we enjoyed fresh veggies from Bob's various gardens hidden all over in the woods. And, we ate a couple times at some really good old "mom & pop" cafes. Sure enjoyed their hospitality!Then, off we go, 400 miles west to Duluth, Mn. Pic of lunch break on the shores of Lake Superior, in Wi., before arriving in Duluth. We set up camp about 7 miles from Ron and Sandy Wentz, and spent 4 fun days with them. Sandy had put a list together of things to do and see. So, Ron drove us up to the skyline drive, with some beautiful views over-looking the harbor. We visited the Rose Garden near downtown, and on to a quilt store Sandy had found for Eileen. Ron and I didn't mind.....a small bakery was next door, so we enjoyed coffee and donuts while they shopped. We ate at 3 of Duluths most popular restaurants, Sandy made a couple great meals, and she got us invited to an outdoor potluck. And, finally, we took a boat ride of the harbor. The ship, American Sprit, is an ocean going freighter, being loaded with iron ore. We had a great time with Ron and Sandy, but did have to start the 700 mile trip home. But, before I end, a little Duluth humor from the narrator on our harbor boat ride. A pic near the end, shows the entrance from Lake Superior to the harbor. Note the little lighthouse, and it does have a keeper. So, his or her's job involves "a little light housekeeping". Also, as usual around great bodies of water, are the gulls. But, as the harbor is a bay, the birds are not called seagulls. They are known as bagulls.

This photo was taken during totality. Bruce and Glenda Jensen RockComp members from Centerville, Ia.We are visiting good friends at Washington, Mo which is straight west of St Louis and was right in the path of totality. The photo was taken at 1:17 pm CDT August 21, 2017.It was a very eerie feeling especially as the sun reemerged. Quite an experience!

We just had a wonderful trip to Branson with Gloria and Mel Johnston from Manitou, Manitoba and also from Bonita Vista Resort and formerly of Rock Shadows. I had to include the photo taken at Hamilton, Mo , the home of Missouri Star Quilt Co. The girls forced us to sidetrack on the way home. As you can see from the photo, they were all smiles.

Last month we were in Ia at Amana colenes for a International camping club rally for a week, it was very hot in the upper 80° to lower 90° but we had a good time.This last week we were at Ellendale Minnesota for our Regional Rally, weather was good.Top left is were we had to go and get the sweet stuff.Top right is Betty high 5 ing Spamy at the Span museum in Austin. The one below her is me, and guess what I didn't break the camera.The next 2 on the left are of RV park we stayed at Cristal Springs RV Resort. The bottom on the right is of course the museum.Hope all you guys are having a great summer!!!

Dale was a member of RockComp serving on the Executive board and was a past president until he and Elsie were no longer able to return to AZ. We send our deepest sympathy to Elsie and the rest of his family.

Dale was born in Sun River, Montana to Cyrus and Ethel Clark. He grew up in and around Great Falls and graduated high school. He went on to serve in the United States Navy and later in the Montana Air National Guard for 18 years. After discharging from the military, Dale took a job for the City of Great Falls. Dale worked for the city for over 30 years before retiring from his position of Street Foreman.

He was a member of Wisemans and Sons and Daughters of Pioneers. Dale was a generous and caring father and stepfather. He loved his small dog, Tori, a little schnauzer.

Does anyone know if there are minutes for our March 2017 meeting? We have minutes for a Exec Bd Meeting but not regular Meeting. I know Lyle was not able to be in attendance. Did I forget to have anyone take minutes ( very likely )? Does anyone remember if we passed a motion to purchase a TV and stand for up to $2000? Pretty sure we did, but not positive.
Hope all are well and enjoying summer. Quite dry here and has been warm. Supposed to cool some and maybe a little rain tonite into tomorrow morn.
The photo was taken on our 40th wedding anniversary at Oakhill, our home for 37 years. We have it sold and I'm working hard to get the new well and waterline installed so we can close by the last week of August. After last year I thought my work would lessen, but now I'm hoping after this year. ��Winston

The Smith's were out camping around Mich. again. Do they ever stay home ? (Not much). First 4 pics at a park on Lake Huron. The 3rd pic has a Great Lakes freighter in the background. The 4th pic, sidewalk art, was done by a young teen girl who showed some fine art talent. She also rollerblader all around the park......and made it look sooo easy. Then, inland and 160 miles north, in the northern pine forests. That's our rig, then, my camping buddy, Teddy, and then look what I found - this brand new John Deere. I'm thinking of buying it and hiring myself out to Winston.....think I could get several hundred acres of corn a day harvested with this baby.

First, the perfect farmer riddle. Don't groan!Next the first picture of me by the corn was taken about 1:30 pm Independence Day , July 4. The second by the corn, very nearly the same angle, was taken today at about 3pm July 8. Just started tasseling and there were some silks emerged. This farm has not had rain for about a week and a half, but is not under stress yet . Temps are to rise next week and no rain in sight so things might get a little tense as far as us farmers are concerned. We don't like to have our corn have any bad days��.I know I have not been very good with member news, so that means the rest of you need to pick it up. Bob and Rick have done their part!Winston

Bob and Eileen - 6/30/17Hello to y'al. Hope you are enjoying your summer so far. Well, we have been busy.....not staying at home. This is our 2nd camping trip and our third starts 7/10 for 16 days. We just got back from a 21 day camping trip to southeast Kentucky and Virginia. First stop in Kentucky was at the "Ark Encounter", an exact replica size wise. Inside was 3 stories of how it probably looked and operated. Next, down to Breaks Interstate Park on the border of Kentucky and Virginia, deep in the Appalachian mountains. Beautiful place, and, historically, Daniel Boone discovered the "Breaks", a long, deep gorge running north and south, a passage through the mountains. It is called the Grand Canyon of the east, and the deepest gorge east of the Mississippi. Lots of civil war history here, as well as this was the precise area of the long Hatfield and McCoy feud. Then, back a bit north to east central Kentucky, to Carter Caves State Park - the last 2 pics. This park is still up in the Appalachians, a picturesque deeps woods setting. Our truck and trailer managed many miles of narrow blacktop roads that never stopped going up or down, with curve after curve in remote areas of Kentucky......just beautiful !(PS - did not see much member news. Come on folks, share some experiences. We surely do not want Winston resorting to his jokes....)

Hi all, of course this was sent a little while ago, but will update soon.

Hi everyone. It seems to be a little quiet on our Members Page, ourselves included. So before Winston starts in with his "jokes", here is an update from us. We had a safe trip home, except for a damaged tire in Pratt, Kansas. Took us 5 hours to get back on the road again, had to drive to the Kia dealer in Wichita, and they did a great job fixing us up. Got home, no snow and fairly warm. The "Locals" are really happy. No gardening yet. Just getting to spoil the twins, isn't that what Grandparents are supposed to do? Including some pics. Hope to hear from others, soon.

We have been here at Huckleberry campground at New London Wi. for one week. Just about got all the stuff done, panterry filled refrigerator stock up and Dr and dentist done.Has been kind of warm but today it went down 54* The rest of the week it will be on the cool side. And also had some rainWon't be long and will be thinking about heading back to AZ.